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Firstly I would like to thank 2 important people who are responsible for me riding the cycle again after 13 years. Anubhav my childhood friend who gave his cycle for riding so that I could reduce my weight. I asked him before he left for Germany can I borrow your cycle so that I can be fit. He is the first reason because of whom I started cycling as I do not have my own cycle. Sayi my cousin brother who is a brevet and a long distance rider motivated me to start and do my first long distance ride. He is a pro as per me, he has done Shimla to Rohtang and he is SUPER RANDONNEURS. I would like to thank my family members for supporting me to go on long rides even though they were worried a lot as I am travelling alone long distances on cycle.
I started cycling again in the month of August 2015 with short distances around my house itself. Slowly riding became enjoyable and started loving it. Then started doing it for long distances. My first long distance ride was for 100 kms from Pimpri to Lonavala and back. This was the trial ride before I could head to AIR (Audax India Randonneurs) 200 km event. I thought if I am able to do this then only I would go further and practice more for the first brevet. During this ride I learnt many things like you should have proper food before the ride, carry lots of water, etc. I was dead tired after this ride and thought how would I ride for 200 kms, in between even thought of giving it up and call someone for help. But as I rode thought of not giving it up and successfully completed the ride.
After completing 101 kms in 5 hours I thought that 200 kms is possible and decided to ride long distances before the actual ride. Audax India Randonneurs (AIR) is the all-India organisation of randonneurs, which is recognised by Audax Club Parisien (ACP) for conducting and overseeing all Brevets de Randonneurs Mondiaux (BRMs) and Audax events in India. I came to know about this through by cousin Sayi who does these events. Then I also thought why shouldn't I also give a try for a 200 KM ride.
I was eagerly waiting for the ride link to be active and to know the route as well as this was my first time. I had chased the organizers to share the route details so that I can practice on the same route. But could not practice on that route completely. Route was finally put up on the AIR site. Seeing the route was worried as there is 9 Km ghat road which needs to be covered and the road isn't plain.
Krishna Confluence - 200 in Pune, India | MapMyRide
Week before got my cycle ready by serviced and ready for the event. Day before the event could not sleep due to anxiety and was worried due to lack of sleep I should not stop cycling. On 19th Dec, got up early and got ready and headed towards the starting point (Pune University main gate) i.e. 13 Kms from my home. Reached the starting point and got the formalities done and was ready to start the ride. Ride started at 6.15 AM and I was moving slowly as I thought racing from now onward would drain my energy soon.
First high hill ride was from Pashan till Chandani Chowk. Never thought that this would be so difficult. Was moving slowly on this uphill and was worried that I could not find any other ride near to me. I could see many of them covered this distance very fast or they were also riding slowly. After completing the uphill as the down hill started I raced so that I can recover some of the time which was lost. By the time the I could recover some energy the next uphill had already arrived - Katraj Ghat. This was the time when I realized that ride would not be easy as I am facing difficulty in riding these small uphills compared to the one which would come ahead.
By the time I could complete the Katraj Ghat was completely exhausted and was feeling tired. It had not been many hours that the ride had started, but was still tired. After reaching some more distance I took my first stop so that I can recover some energy by eating few things which I bought. Then again started to move and I had kept a time in my mind that I should the checkpoint in 5 hrs or 5 and half hrs. First checkpoint was 107 Kms away from the starting point. As I was riding I could see so many fellow riders repairing there tire as they were punctured due to the small objects on the road. Seeing that I was even more worried as I am not aware as to how to fix the tire if it gets punctured.
Third uphill was nearby when I was more worried by seeing the twists and turns the vehicles were moving. I was moving so slowly during the whole uphill that anyone could have counted the spoke in my tires ( :P ). Slowly I was progressing and managing the traffic and my pace. One side of the road is under construction which was a disadvantage as many times I had to balance my cycle as vehicle would push you outside of the road so that they can overtake. It was the difficult region for riding in the whole ride.
After reaching the top of the ghat had energy drink and sat down for few mins as I was completely exhausted because of the heat and the uphill. Later the I kept on riding and was eagerly waiting for the checkpoint to arrive. I reached the checkpoint an hour late and was an hour late as per my plan as well. Sat there for few mins and had some dry fruits and chocolates to get some energy. Was enquiring with the checkpoint guys that would the route be in return. They told it won't be that difficult as there are no ghats now only the roads are elevated.
So again I started riding to complete the last 97 kms of my ride. I thought it would be difficult to manage time and did not have proper food. In the whole ride I had only dry fruits, chocolate and 1 sandwich. While heading back as the roads between Satara and Pune are not plain it was becoming difficult to ride. Weather was also so hot that I was losing energy and was getting completely exhausted. Advantage while riding back was that instead of the ghat there was a long downhill which gave some time benefit as I could ride as fast as possible and was able to cover few minutes which I lost during the up hill. Was taking a lot intervals in between to drink water and get some energy.
As I was nearing Pune I was also losing my confidence that I can make it in time span of 13 hrs. Before 35 kms from last point I had given it up that I can't ride much as my legs were aching and was completely exhausted. It was around 4.15 or 4.30 PM that I had given it up. I thought I would ride for some more time and if not possible then I would withdraw. Then my brother Sayi messaged me and told me that it is only 35 kms and you have around 3 hrs to complete the whole ride. So this is possible and don't lose hope. You can manage it.
So later I again started to ride after the long break and decided not to quit and to complete the whole ride even if I am not reaching on time. Tried my best to paddle as fast as possible. I got advantage when I reached Katraj Ghat tunnel as after the tunnel there is a complete downhill until you get into the city outskirts. Due to that whole strip I could cover the lost time and was riding very fast so that I can reach the maximum distance in this speed. As the last point was nearing and had to do ride another elevated road to reach the finish point.
What a feeling it was. I was feeling so happy that I could ride 200 Km in 12 hrs and 38 mins even though I was completely exhausted. At the finish point I was welcomed by the organisers who had put the final stamp and time when I reached. I had a nice coffee after the ride and was getting a nice feeling of completing the ride. After reaching home narrated the whole ride to my mother, father and wife they were happy to hear the whole story as it happened and they were happy that I achieved this milestone.
At last I completed by first 200 Km brevet.
Yes Monk. He has been inspiring me and will always.
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